William Eichler 19 June 2024

Decades of ‘neglect’ have left children shorter and overweight

Decades of ‘neglect’ have left children shorter and overweight image
Image: Vanatchanan / Shutterstock.com.

Children in England are getting shorter, more obese and sicker because of poor diets, food insecurity and poverty, health experts warn.

A new report, titled A Generation Neglected: Reversing the decline in children’s health in England, reveals that the height of five-year olds has been falling since 2013 with UK children shorter than those in nearly all other high-income countries.

Published by The Food Foundation, the study found that obesity among 10-11 year olds has increased by 30% since 2006, with one in five children living with obesity by the time they leave primary school.

Type 2 diabetes in young people has tripled since 2012 and babies born today will enjoy a year less good health than babies born a decade ago.

Commenting on the report, Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef and food campaigner, said: ‘Decades of government neglect has meant kids are suffering from more obesity-related illnesses, leading to average heights shrinking and living shorter lives – they’re not being given the chance to be happy, healthy people. And they deserve so much more than that.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner